Student Learning Networks

I consider myself a professional learner. This infectious and often overwhelming desire to know everything and have an opinion on it probably best describes me. So, I call myself a professional learner and behind closed doors I do call myself an "info junkie".

I did not even know this term was real until I did a "Google search". My wife wonders why I would even consider searching the term. This question probably puts the process I go through in context. Therefore, I spend my time near the computer doing searches and reading. Over the last summer I discovered Google Reader and suddenly a whole waft of information is now streaming my way. Much of this info was so over my head and was coming in such vast quantities it was like channel surfing a 1000 channels at the same time. Apparently I checked a whole bunch of interest boxes and voila I had 2000 things to read the 1st day! Then this last November during the Leading and Learning Conference, I attended the David Warlick presentation on RSS. Warlick used a term describing teachers as "Master Learners"! I thought, "That's me!"

The Light bulb went off... I could bring control to my information universe! I could control the info coming to me; I could shape my learning. I could learn what I wanted and I began creating my "Personal Learning Network"! I couldn't wait to get back to the classroom and start sharing what I learned. Yes, I revealed a level of geekiness to my Junior High students that I never thought possible. I stood in front of the, class and announced, "I am a propellorhead!" Well, technically I didn't, but it was pretty close; some did ask is that all you do.

As I continue to teach this year I am going to focus my energies on helping the students create their "Student Learning Networks". How can they learn more efficiently, how can they learn to love learning and how can they create their own "Personal Learning Network"!